Treating Polyneuropathy with Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
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In the human body, the peripheral nerves are located outside of the spinal cord in the brain. These nerves transmit information between the central nervous system and other parts of the body, which include the brain and the spinal cord. When any disruptions occur in the signals being transmitted, it can have an overwhelming impact on a person’s ability to perform various bodily functions. When these disruptions in the signals occur in various areas of the body at once, it is referred to as polyneuropathy.
Polyneuropathy is a term that is used to describe a condition where multiple peripheral nerves are damaged. This can result in changes in coordination, sensation, and various other body functions. Polyneuropathy is commonly referred to as peripheral neuropathy, and it can have a variety of causes. Some common causes of this condition include drugs, nutritional deficiencies, infections, autoimmune disorders, toxins, diabetes, toxins, and various other disorders.
There are two types of polyneuropathy that patients can suffer from. These include acute polyneuropathy and chronic polyneuropathy.
Acute polyneuropathy occurs when a patient suddenly experiences severe symptoms of the condition. This can be caused by an infection that causes damage or an autoimmune reaction. In some instances, acute polyneuropathy can be caused by Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Chronic polyneuropathy occurs when a person suffers from long-lasting symptoms that cannot be treated quickly. In general, chronic polyneuropathy is typically caused by kidney failure or diabetes. Although there can be many different causes of this condition, it can be quite difficult to determine the direct cause.
How Many People Have Polyneuropathy?
According to statistics, over 20 million people in the United States are believed to suffer from some form of peripheral neuropathy or polyneuropathy. The figures may be higher due to the fact that many people are not tested for these conditions. More than 50% of all adults that suffer from diabetes will experience some form of diabetic peripheral neuropathy at some time in their life.
Statistics show that nearly 2.4% of the entire population of the world suffers from some form of peripheral neuropathy. For people above the age of 45, the percentage is 5% and 7% of the global population
What are the Symptoms of Polyneuropathy?
Symptoms of polyneuropathy can appear suddenly in progress over time slowly. In some cases, the progression of the condition can occur over several months or even years. Generally, the symptoms that a person experiences depend on the cause and the type of condition that they have. In some cases, patients will experience sensory or motor nerve damage that has various consequences. These include:
- Ulcers on the feet and legs
- Skin, hair, and nail changes
- Increased episodes of falling
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Muscle twitching
- Muscle weakness
- Lack of coordination
- Inability to sense changes in temperatures
- Extremely sensitive to touch
- Inability to feel pain
- Problems sleeping and/or pain at night
- Increased pain, such as shooting, freezing, burning, or stabbing pains
- pins and needles
In addition, patients may experience various symptoms if they suffer from autonomic nerve damage. These symptoms can include:
- Unusual sweating
- Digestive problems
- Inability to walk straight
- Weak arms and legs
- Dizziness
- Heat intolerance
- Bladder problems (incontinence)
- Difficulty breathing
- Lack of coordination
- Blood pressure abnormalities
- Pulse abnormalities
- Heat intolerance
- Problems eating and/or swallowing
These symptoms can be incredibly debilitating for patients. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition. However, doctors can utilize various medications to help ease some of the symptoms that patients experience with polyneuropathy.
What Treatment Options are Available for Polyneuropathy?
The type of treatment that a patient is provided will depend upon the cause of their condition. In many cases, patients are encouraged to make lifestyle changes in order to help alleviate some of the symptoms they experience. This can involve avoiding various repetitive tasks or drinking less alcohol.
If a person suffers polyneuropathy as a result of a traumatic injury, a doctor may recommend physical therapy in order to help them regain control of their body. If a person suffers from polyneuropathy as a result of an autoimmune condition, the doctor may prescribe an immune globulin injection or corticosteroid. They may also recommend that patients undergo a plasma exchange to have the toxins removed from the body.
If a person suffers from this condition due to diabetes, a doctor will generally recommend a treatment plan to help them get their blood sugar under control in order to help alleviate some of the symptoms they face. When people suffer from polyneuropathy as a result of cancer, doctors often recommend that patients undergo surgery to have the cells or the tumors removed from their bodies. In some cases, patients may have to go through chemotherapy.
The unfortunate truth is that will there is no medication that will actually cure polyneuropathy for patients. Many of the treatments are designed to alleviate the symptoms that they experience. In recent years, we have seen various scientific groups perform studies surrounding the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat polyneuropathy. These studies have produced results that are very promising for patients.
What are Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells?
Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells are a type of adult stem cell that is commonly used in scientific studies due to their effective abilities when it comes to treating various autoimmune and degenerative disorders in humans. Also referred to as UC-MSCs, these types of stem cells are generally isolated out of the tissues in the umbilical cord. More specifically, Wharton’s jelly is known to have the most potent mesenchymal stem cells, which makes them more beneficial when it comes to treating various diseases.
These stem cells are unique due to the fact that they are able to differentiate into various different types of cells in the human body. Some of the types of cells that they can differentiate into include:
- Osteoblasts
- Hepatocytes
- Adipocytes
- Chondrocytes
- Myocytes
In addition, they also have incredible anti-inflammatory properties, which allow them to reduce inflammation within the subject being transplanted. They also have the ability to secrete various growth factors and cytokines, which are effective when it comes to regenerating damaged nerves. Given the fact that they are incredibly young, umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells are considered to be immune privileged and that they are more likely to be accepted by the recipient.
All of the benefits and factors surrounding this type of stem cell have made it a viable option when it comes to treating patients who suffer from polyneuropathy. In recent history, there have been several studies surrounding the treatment of this condition through the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells.
Studies Surrounding the use of UC-MSCs for Treating Polyneuropathy
In 2020, a team of scientists published a report that demonstrated that umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells were beneficial when it comes to improving nerve regeneration in patients who suffer from various neuropathic conditions and diseases.
Over the years, scientists have performed various studies surrounding the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat polyneuropathy in both human and mouse models. One of the most notable studies was published in 2016 surrounding the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat diabetic neuropathy in mouse models this study found that MSCs were particularly beneficial for lowering blood glucose levels and repairing tissues in the affected subjects. The studies found that mesenchymal stem cells were beneficial when it comes to improving glycemic control and improving renal function and regeneration in the normal β pancreatic islets of subjects the mesenchymal stem cells were able to effectively reduce the capacity of diabetic genic T cells to infiltrate pancreatic inslets, thus preventing the destruction of the β-cell.
Another study surrounding the use of 100 female non-obese diabetic mice aged six weeks old was performed in China. These mice were randomly divided into five groups. The mice underwent treatment surrounding the use of mesenchymal stem cells for a period of 56 days. The mice that received the mesenchymal stem cells showed improvement in their blood glucose levels. Additionally, the sciatic nerve fibers were greatly improved and arranged regularly. These studies collectively found that the use of UC-MSCs promoted the recovery of the sciatic nerve in the patients while increasing the levels of neurotrophic factors. Overall, the study concluded that the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells for treating diabetic neuropathy greatly improved the hyperglycemia level in the affected subjects.
Overall, the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells may offer potential benefits for the treatment of polyneuropathy in patients who suffer from this debilitating condition will. Although further research and studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of this promising method of treatment, it is a promising possibility that could lead to better healthcare outcomes for many individuals who continue to suffer from severe neurological disorders in the United States and across the globe. With increasing evidence of its use and effects, umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy has the potential to provide a promising approach for treating polyneuropathy in both children and adults alike.
Have questions about stem cell therapy? Cellebration Wellness has answers. Speak with one of our experts today at 1.800.601.8290 to learn more.
